Love In The City

Business Deals In The City

     Thankfully, I woke up headache-free. Many wines gave me headaches the next day. I guess it’s a good thing. I don’t drink wine often. I imagine the wine I drank is pricey. I wouldn’t be able to splurge on it frequently. I made a mental note to ask Jimmy the name again to get a bottle now and then.

As I walk into the Living Room area, I see a stack of cards on the desk. Curious, I picked them up. They are coupons for free services. There’s a couple massage, complimentary dinner for two, three hours of free Go Karting, and a coupon for fifty dollars off services at the hair salon. I wonder if they will let me use the couple coupons twice since I’m only one person?

A massage sounds nice right about now. As I contemplated the massage, my phone buzzed, signaling an incoming message. I grabbed my phone and looked to see who it is. It’s just an email. But the sender caught my eye.

It’s from The Company email. I sighed and plopped down on the couch as I opened the email and read it.

Miss. Pearson,

Please note the sample contracts I use below and save them to your laptop. You will need them to prepare the arrangements for the Krieger account. I will need them done promptly at three today. Enclosed, you will find a file with all the data you will need. There’s a printing room on-site. You can print copies off. Please inquire at the front desk. I need four printed copies. Do not forget to also forward me the contracts to my email upon completion. Bring them with you at precisely four forty-five this evening to the Bar downstairs. This meeting may take several hours. Upon completion, you are free for the rest of the evening.

He signed it, Raul. Sighing, I stood up to go get my laptop. The massage will have to wait.

It’s almost noon, and the contracts are nearly complete. I stood up from the chair and stretched. I’m still in my bathrobe. Thankfully, my ankle is much improved after the few days of rest I had before coming, but it ached a little. I’m hoping to finish in time for a massage and add more Icy Hot if needed.

Working has kept my mind off Raul, but as I stretch and grab a fresh cup of orange juice, I’m reminded of his email. He called me Miss. Pearson. It’s my name and appropriate since he’s my boss, but he’s never once used that name. Maybe our arrangement is over.

I’m not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, it’s better this way. I’ll only get hurt if we continue. On the other, I feel like we were just getting started.

With Raul now making a new deal, I don’t think I’m off the hook yet. He will probably keep me around a few weeks as he completes things. That means I will have to see him every day and think about his lips on my body or the spankings he gave me.

Pushing the thoughts of Raul out of my head, I buried myself back into work.

I made it to the Massage Room by two. I sent Raul the emails. I will have to print the documents after my massage, though. I brought my laptop down with me to do it on the way back to my room.

“Miss Pearson, the room is ready,” A tall blonde man said. He looked young, maybe about my age. I followed him down the hallway and into the room, “You can change into the bathrobe there. I’ll be with you soon. Push the button on the side of the bed when you are ready,”

This is the first time I’ve gotten a professional massage, and I did not understand what to do, “Wait! This is my first time,” I told him.

“We have disposable underwear you can wear in that drawer. We organize by size. Once you are ready, you lay on the table face down. Be sure to leave the robe loose if you wear it. This will allow me to pull it down to various positions during the massage,” he explained.

“Seems simple enough. Thank you,” I smiled at him.

“During the massage, be sure to let me know if it hurts or if you need more attention in certain areas,”

I thought about my ankle and decided to tell him about it, “My ankle is healing from a sprain earlier in the week,”

“I noticed you favor one side a little while walking. I have some medicinal oils that can help it. I’ll rely on you to tell me if it hurts, though. I want to relieve pain, not cause any,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said.

He walked out the door. I opened the drawer marked medium and grabbed a package, being sure to read the sizes on it. Once I was ready, I slipped on the silky thin robe and hopped in the bed. I pushed the robe back to rest on my shoulders easily and pressed the button, signaling I’m ready.

After the massage, my body felt great. Even my aching foot felt much better. I purchased a bottle of the oil he used on my foot.

I’m standing in the business center waiting on the copies to finish printing when Jimmy walked in, “Gabby, it’s good to see you. How do you like your room?”

I thought about the heart-shaped bed and stifled a laugh, “It’s great. Thank you again for helping me get it,”

“Are you coming to the meeting today?” he took a sip out of the styrofoam cup he is carrying.

“Yes, I’m finishing up a few things now,” I smiled and picked up the copies. I put them safely inside my briefcase.

“I’ll see you then,” he said as he walked out the door.

When I arrived at the bar, Raul is sitting at a table already. I took a deep breath and walked over and sat down. He’s focused on his cell phone. And he doesn’t even look up at me. I nervously push the folder with the copies he requested in front of him.

“Thank you, Miss Pearson,” he said, his eyes still glued to his phone.

There it is again. He called me Miss Pearson. How do we go from having passionate s*x to being so formal? I guess it’s my fault for leaving our room for a new one. My heart sank a little, but deep down, I know it’s for the best.

“All four copies are there,” I said.

A cute brunette woman approaches the table, “Can I get you a drink?”

I realize I haven’t eaten yet, and it’s never good to eat on an empty stomach, “Do you serve food?” I ask her.

“Yes, but not as expansive of a menu as the Restaurant. Would you like a menu?” she asks me.

“That would be great. I will order a drink with the food if that’s okay?” I smile at the woman.

A few moments later, she drops off a menu at the table, and I busy myself finding something to eat. The silence between Raul and me is killing me, and I hope this meeting isn’t long.

When the women return, I order nachos, potato skins, and a Margarita. Raul is still staring at his phone when Jimmy shows up.

“Sorry, I’m a few minutes late. I had to be sure to eat dinner first,” Jimmy slid into the booth next to me.

Raul looked up from his phone for the first time since I arrived, “Is your father coming?”

“He and Sammy will be down any minute now,” Jimmy said.

I wasn’t sure why Sammy had to be here since she’s just an Interior Designer. She likely wanted to hang out more with Raul. For all I know, she could have come to his Suite after I left. I need to think level headed for this meeting and do my job. I set myself a two-drink limit.

The women dropped off my Margarita at the table, and Jimmy said, “I’ll have a Johnny Walker on the rocks. My father will be here in a moment, so go ahead and bring his usual. As for my sister, she’s on her own,” he shrugged.

“Will we be discussing Interior designs?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“She had dinner with Raul earlier, and they may have discussed that,” Jimmy’s eyed Raul.

My heart sunk. He had dinner with her. He told me he never does those kinds of things. I know I’m stupid. I have no claim over this man, but it still hurts.

As I sat contemplating my f****d up love life, James and his daughter Sammy walked in. She wore a form fighting black dress, and I hated that she looked good in it. I was happy with my skirt and button-up top until I saw her walk in. She looks gorgeous. I watched Raul see his reactions.

He stood up and greeted them both. That’s more than he did for me. I didn’t even get a hello from him.

“Gabby, it’s so good to see you again,” James bent over and kissed my cheek.

“You too, Mr. Krieger,” I smiled.

As James and Sammy got situated in seats, Jimmy said to me, “A few of us are going to the Casino later; they have a live band. You should come,”

“I think Gabby should sit over here next to me since we are sharing Nachos,” Raul said, surprising me.

He’s back to calling me Gabby now and oddly asked me to move next to him rather than Sammy. We aren’t sharing food, though. He never even mentioned this to me.

Sammy had one hand on the side of the booth, and she playfully said to Raul, “How are you still hungry? We just had dinner together?” she then turned to me and gave me a fake smile.

“Wouldn’t it make more sense to sit across from each then?” Jimmy asked Raul.

Sammy took this as her cue to sit down next to Raul. I turned to Jimmy and said, “I’d love to come to the Casino! Let me give you my number so you can coordinate with me later,”

“Great,” Jimmy took out his phone and gave me his number. I saved it in mine, sending him a text message right away. This way, he has my number too.

Maybe some time on the slot machines would help me keep my mind off Raul and give me something fun to do this weekend. Raul sat in silence across from me, his dark eyes boring into mine. I pretended like he did not affect me anymore.

My food came out, and the lady placed them in front of me. I pushed them in the middle of Raul and me, “Bon Appetite,” I smiled at him.

“I still don’t understand how you’re so hungry after eating a full course meal. You must have worked yourself up an appetite,” she winked.

“I’m just hungry,” Raul licked his lips and gave me a lopsided grin as he shoved a nacho into his mouth.

“So, what are your plans this evening, Raul?” Jimmy asked.

I’m dying to know what he says but don’t want Raul to see, so I busy myself putting sour cream on my potatoes.

“I’m here for business,” Raul said. “Speaking of which, here are the contracts you can look over,” he opened the folder and handed one to James and Jimmy.

Since James and Jimmy are both occupied reading the contracts that left Sammy to fill the conversation, I groaned internally as she kept prodding Raul.

“We could go check out that new club downtown Raul,” she eyed him flirtatiously as she placed her hand on his arm.

“I’m staying in,” he replied. He took another nacho then slid the plate closer to me, signaling he’s done.

“We used to have so much fun together, and we don’t see each other often. I imagine with your partnership with the Resort that will change, though,” she flashed him a huge smile.

“Everything on here looks to be what we discussed,” James said, interrupting his daughter’s attempts to lure Raul to her web. Or back into her trap, I should say.

“I think it’s quite fair,” Raul took a drink from his glass. If I had to guess, he’s drinking Jameson on the rocks.

“What’s this part here about exclusive use of Penthouse two?” Jimmy asked.

I admit I didn’t thoroughly read the entire contract. I only needed to input and type the addendum he requested.

“Yes, is that a problem,” Raul eyed him thoughtfully from across the table.

“Penthouse two is the biggest of the three. Can we change it to penthouse three instead since I use the first one?” Jimmy asked.

“No, I want Penthouse two. I will also change the Interior to fit my needs,” Raul said.

“I could help you with that,” Sammy said, eager to be able to please.

“That won’t be necessary. My partner’s sister is an Interior Designer,” Raul smiled.

I realized he meant Melly. I took my phone out and quickly noted my observations of the meeting so far. Once I finished, I sat my phone down next to me.

“Not only do you want the biggest Penthouse, but you also wish to use a different designer?” Jimmy said incredulously.

“Done,” James said, signing the paper and sliding it across the table to Raul. He then looked to Jimmy, “The room suits him, and he can use whoever he wants. You must remember your sister is not a partner in this business. Because she is my daughter, I give her business when I can, but I don’t force my business associates to do the same,”

Jimmy stared at Raul a few moments before sighing and signing the papers. “Here you go, partner,” he said as he handed Raul the papers.

“Have your attorney look them over before I sign them,” Raul slid them back.

“The contracts are simple, and we have known each other for a long time. You have helped my family out for years. If I can’t trust you, we have major problems,” Jams told him.

“I try to be clear and upfront about everything,” Raul smiled at the graying older man, “You know, Jimmy, I’m more surprised you didn’t raise a fuss about my monthly Comp allowance,” Raul said to Jimmy laughing.

“I doubt you’ll use all that up considering you run a business a few hours away,” Jimmy laughed.

I’m happy that they can laugh and joke around. Once again, I added the last bit of notes to my phone, satisfied no more tension is at the table. Well, mostly as Sammy seemed to be sour as she gloated on the other side of the table next to Raul.

“Let’s celebrate our partnership with a round of shots. Gabby, you choose the poison,” James said.

From my observations, the guys drank Whiskey or Bourbon. I’m not sure what Sammy drinks, though. I offered her an olive branch, “How about you help me narrow it down? We can do breakfast shots or TeQuila,” I told her.

From the way she looked at me, I can tell she didn’t expect that from me. Raul eyed me curiously from across the table as Sammy said, “Breakfast shot’s sound fun,”

“Excellent choice,” James winked.

As we waited for the breakfast shots James ordered, I felt something rubbing my leg under the table. I pulled my leg back a little, thinking I must have bumped someone’s legs at the small table.

The women set our drinks down at the table. I grabbed the shot of orange juice in one hand and the shot of Jameson in the other. The rest of the table did the same.

“To new beginnings,” Raul said. As he tipped back the shot glasses one by one, his eyes never left mine. He eyed me hungrily. A warmth spreads through me, and I’m sure it’s not from the Whiskey.

I can feel once again someone’s leg rubbing against mine, and it seems on purpose. It’s not an accidental bump, but the leg or foot moved up and down my leg. I looked around for something to “accidentally” drop on the floor so I can check who it is.

I couldn’t find anything, so I stood up to go to the bathroom. The tablecloth concealed the table too much, and I couldn’t see it. I have a feeling it’s Raul but hope it’s not James who sat on my left.

“Is everything okay?” Raul asked me.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I said, walking away.

When I got into the bathroom, the door opened behind me, revealing Sammy, “You should probably stay out late tonight,”

“Excuse me?” I said.

“I mean so he can have privacy in the suite,” She stood in front of the mirror applying powder to her face.

“I have my own room,” I rolled my eyes and walked out the door, not interested in playing her catty games.

As I walked around the corner, I feel arms wrap around me. I gasped and turned to see Raul, “What are you doing?” I asked him. My heart skipped a beat as he placed his hands on the sides of me, preventing me from moving.

“Move back to our suite,” he said.